run on

To use a particular fuel or kind of energy to work.

• The car runs on electricity.
• Our old heater ran on gas.
• Can this engine run on a different fuel?

How to use it: run on something (This little fan runs on batteries.)

Similar words: be powered by

Common phrases: run on batteries, run on electricity, run on diesel

To continue without stopping, often longer than expected.

• The meeting ran on too long.
• Their argument ran on until dinner.
• Will the concert run on past ten?

How to use it: run on for a period of time (The meeting ran on for another hour.); run on until something (The discussion ran on until midnight.)

Similar words: continue, go on, carry on

Opposites: stop

Common phrases: run on longer, run on endlessly

To keep talking for a long time, often without letting others speak.

• She ran on for ages.
• He keeps running on about his new car.
• Please don't run on; let someone else speak.

How to use it: run on about something (He ran on about his holidays while everyone tried to leave.)

Similar words: ramble on, go on, talk on

Common phrases: run on endlessly, run on about something

To ask people to vote for you because of particular promises, beliefs, or past achievements.

• She ran on a promise to cut taxes.
• The mayor is running on his record.
• Which policies will your party run on?

How to use it: run on a platform of something (She ran on a platform of lower taxes.); run on someone's record (The mayor is running on his record of improving local schools.)

Similar words: campaign on

Common phrases: run on something, run on promises

To follow the clock or daily schedule of a particular time zone.

• The office clocks run on UTC.
• After the flight, I was still running on Tokyo time.
• Does the online schedule run on local time?

How to use it: run on a particular time zone (Our booking system runs on Eastern time.)

Similar words: use

Common phrases: run on GMT, run on UTC

To try to use a trick or dishonest plan against someone.

• Don't run that trick on me.
• She realized he was running a scam on her.
• They ran the same scheme on several tourists.

How to use it: run something on someone (They tried to run a scam on my uncle.)

Similar words: try on, pull on

Common phrases: run tricks on someone, run scams on someone